100 suspects arrested in Adamawa for looting government warehouse over ‘hardship’

The Adamawa police command has confirmed the arrest of over 100 persons allegedly involved in stealing food and non-food items from government warehouses.

Suleiman Nguroje, the command spokesperson, spoke to TheCable on Monday.

Nguroje said an initial arrest of 25 persons were made.

However, subsequent arrests made by other security agencies have brought the total to nearly 120.

“In the first arrest we made, we arrested 25 people. Subsequent arrests were also made after a lot of people were found with the looted items, you know that makes them suspects,” he said.

“As we speak, we have close to 120 people who have been arrested. We are making arrangements to charge them to court. I will release a statement later to that effect and also share with you.”

There was unrest in Yola, the Adamawa capital, on Sunday when some persons broke into warehouses belonging to the state government and other private-owned food stores, stealing edible and non-edible items.

The items looted included maize, rice, beans, corn, generators, wrappers, mattresses, and plastic buckets.

Witnesses said the looters complained of hardship following the removal of petrol subsidy and the high cost of food items.

The state government, in response, declared a 24-hour curfew.

Nguroje said security personnel had been deployed to enforce the curfew and secure public and private infrastructure as well as markets.

He assured that security operatives would recover some of the items and ensure that those involved face justice.